A Knight in Shining Armor

Jerry Cransick of ESPN.com reports that the Tigers will receive minor league outfielder Troy Montgomery and pitcher Wilken Hernandez in return for second baseman Ian Kinsler . Montgomery hit .271 with with eight home runs between Single-A and Double-A this past season. Hernandez was 3-1 with a 2.64 ERA in rookie ball this past season.

Manny Machado

3B | BAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Baltimore Orioles infielder Manny Machado has been subject to many trade rumors over the last few days and FanRag Sports Jon Heyman says that the Orioles have multiple official offers. Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reported earlier that the Orioles are "making progress" on a trade for third baseman Manny Machado . Reports are that five teams are in on him to a degree, but nothing is imminent. They are also willing to deal him to rival clubs if that presents them the best offer. The Yankees, Phillies and Cardinals have all been linked to Machado.

Anthony Davis

PF | NO

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Anthony Davis (left adductor) is expected to return Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks after a one-game absence. Davis has missed a total of four games spanning over the past week and a half with the groin injury, but reportedly feels good enough to return. Expect Davis to regain his starting role and remain an elite fantasy big man when healthy, though it is unclear if he will be on a minutes limit in his first game back.

Tyler Johnson

SG | MIA

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (migraine) will not play in Wednesday night's contest against the Portland Trail Blazers. It is unknown when this ailment started, but it is severe enough to force Johnson to sit out. In his absence, guards Dion Waiters and Josh Richardson should soak up more minutes in the starting lineup while three-point specialist Wayne Ellington should get more run off the bench.

Ian Kinsler

2B | DET

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that the Tigers have dealt second baseman Ian Kinsler to the Angels. Kinsler, 36, has one year left on his contract. With the Tigers looking to get younger and shed money, they had no room for Kinsler. The second baseman hit .236 with 22 home runs and 52 RBI in 2017.

Chris Carson

RB | SEA

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Seattle Seahawks surprise running back Chris Carson (ankle) has been sidelined for over two months, but according to head coach Pete Carroll, Carson may be close to returning to practice. During his press conference on Wednesday, Carroll told reporters that Carson is back to running after suffering a small setback in his recovery, and he may be able to begin practicing next week. The youngster was a surprise star for the Seahawks early in the season, and their running game has floundered without him until the recent appearance of Mike Davis . At this point, Carson's nothing but a long shot to return during the regular season.

Markieff Morris

PF | WAS

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Washington Wizards forward/center Markieff Morris (hip) has been ruled out for Wednesday night's contest against the Memphis Grizzlies. It appears Morris is dealing with right hip soreness, but it is unknown if this injury occurred at a certain point in time. Mike Scott will move into the starting lineup and is a decent option for points as he is generally the first scoring option off the bench.

Rodney Hood

SG | UTA

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Utah Jazz shooting guard Rodney Hood (left Achilles soreness) will return to the lineup Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls after missing seven straight games with the injury. In a pregame interview, Hood relayed he expects to be limited, but is unsure of the exact limit. Utah will welcome back Hood with open arms as he is averaging a career-high 17.7 points and 2.8 threes per game this season. However, be cautious of grabbing Hood in DFS contests right away as he will be limited and might need to shake off some rust after missing the last couple of weeks. Hood's return will likely take away minutes from Alec Burks off the bench.

Mike Davis

RB | SEA

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

After suffering a rib injury against Jacksonville, Seattle Seahawks running back Mike Davis returned to the field on Wednesday. Davis led the way for Seattle on the ground once again last week, and he'll be expected to be the primary back against the Rams on Sunday. Davis has given Seattle some semblance of a run game after it was gone for over a month, so he'll likely see more than a dozen carries once again. He can work as a low-end RB2, but facing a stout Rams defense with a weak offensive line means he's still a risky play.

Darren Collison

PG | IND

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Indiana Pacers point guard Darren Collison (knee) will return after a one-game absence and start in Wednesday night's contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Collison will have a tough defensive assignment as he is slated to guard the dynamic Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook . The first time these two have met this season, Collison scored 18 points, but committed four turnovers compared to just three assists.

John Wall

PG | WAS

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (knee) will make his highly anticipated return Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. Wall will start, but is expected to only see minutes in the mid-20s. Fantasy owners are relieved to have the all-star point guard back in action, but those in DFS contests should look elsewhere while Wall is on a minutes restriction.

Joe Smith

P | CLE

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent pitcher Joe Smith signed a two-year deal with the Astros according to Brian McTaggert of MLB.com

Marcell Ozuna

LF | MIA

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

The St. Louis Cardinals acquired outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the Miami Marlins in exchange for right handed pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen, left handed pitcher Daniel Castano, and outfielder Magneuris Sierra . It's an incredibly light package for an All-Star outfielder under team control who hit 37 home runs in a pitcher's park last season. The Cardinals just greatly improved their outfield (and Ozuna's fantasy value) while the Marlins essentially acquired two potential back-end starters, a closer, and Juan-Pierre-Again. Ozuna and Sierra are the only players in this deal likely to have any fantasy value in 2018, where Ozuna will be among the top outfielders in the game and Sierra will steal some bases.

Sandy Alcantara

P | STL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

The St. Louis Cardinals sent right handed pitcher Sandy Alcantara to the Miami Marlins as part of the Marcell Ozuna trade. Alcantara is a high-ceiling/low-floor prospect. The 22-year-old throws hard, routinely touching triple digits, but his only plus pitch is his fastball, and he cannot control it. The Marlins will likely use him as a starter even though the Cardinals were already in the process of converting him into a reliever. Unless he can develop a breaking ball or improve his change up though, Alcantara is destined for the bullpen sooner or later. It's a disappointing return for an All-Star center fielder under team control like Ozuna, but it's nothing new for the Marlins front office.

Danny Duffy

P | KC

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Kansas City Royals pitcher Danny Duffy has been a hot name on the trade market according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. The Royals are in the middle of a rebuild and their top pitcher will get a lot of valuable pieces in return.

Raisel Iglesias

P | CIN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that teams have stopped asking the Reds about Closer Raisel Iglesias . For now the asking price is too high for teams who are interested. Iglesias is coming off a strong season where he put up 28 saves with a 2.48 ERA. He has three years remaining on his contract.

Mike Montgomery

P | CHC

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that Mike Montgomery will enter spring training as a starter. The Cubs have four rotation spots locked up already and have been in on plenty of free agents, most notably Alex Cobb . Montgomery expressed his hope to be a starter and it looks like he will get a shot to earn the team's fifth spot in the rotation.

Juan Nicasio

P | STL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent pitcher Juan Nicasio signs with Mariners

Michael Fulmer

P | DET

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer will be tough to move from Detroit, as Detroit Free-Press writer Anthony Fenech says that the team "will only entertain lopsided offers." This can be expected for the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year and also is a key reason why there has not been much traction on him moving.

J.J. Hoover

P | ARI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that free agent reliever JJ Hoover has multiple offers on the table. Hoover was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks earlier in the offseason. He had a nice bounce back season with the Diamondbacks this past year where he went 3-1 with a 3.92 ERA. He will be entering his age 30 season and owns a career 4.09 ERA in six seasons.

Hector Rondon

P | CHC

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent pitcher Hector Rondon may be on the Houston Astros radar according to Brian McTaggert. Rondon was non-tendered by the Cubs and the Astros are actively looking for late inning options. Rondon delivered a mediocre 4.24 ERA over 61 appearances in 2017, but the Astros have struggled at the end of games and Rondon has been a trusted late-inning arm in the past.

Meyers Leonard

C | POR

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Portland Trail Blazers forward/center Meyers Leonard (illness) is questionable to play against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. There isn't any details on his illness, so this is likely going to be a game-time call. Leonard played 19 minutes per game in starts without Jusuf Nurkic (ankle). If Leonard is out, Zach Collins should get minutes in the upper 20s on Wednesday. Ed Davis should also see minutes in the 20 range on Wednesday, if Leonard is unable to suit up against Miami.

Christian McCaffrey

RB | CAR

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey leads the Panthers in receptions this season with 67 and has amassed 838 total yards of offense. This week he gets an excellent matchup against a Packers defense that has allowed the 10th most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. They also have allowed at least nine fantasy points to 15 different backs and at least one running back has eclipsed that number in every game the Packers have played this season. McCaffrey is an excellent bet to have an active game and possibly find the end zone in a game that could become a shootout quickly. McCaffrey is a high-end RB2 for Week 15.

Edinson Volquez

P | MIA

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports that the Miami Marlins have released pitcher Edinson Volquez . Volquez was signed to a two-year $22 million deal last year. He went 4-8 with a 4.19 ERA in 17 games before being shut down with Tommy John surgery. Spencer mentions that there is a chance that the club could bring him back on a minor league deal.

Tyler Kroft

TE | CIN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft (hamstring) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Kroft was only targeted once in last week's loss to the Bears. He had become a red zone favorite of Andy Dalton 's but his value is extremely touchdown dependent. If healthy, Kroft is a low-end TE2 at best.

Devin Funchess

WR | CAR

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess has a juicy matchup in Week 15 against a Packers secondary that has allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing wideouts. They have allowed 107 receiving yards or more to six different players this season and an astounding 15 touchdowns to the position. Funchess is the unquestioned number one receiver on the Panthers and has embraced the role fully. He can make the tough catch in traffic and is a dynamic threat with the ball in his hands. Funchess has seven touchdowns this season, 762 yards and those numbers will rise in Week 15. Funchess is a solid WR1 this Sunday.

Lauri Markkanen

PF | CHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Chicago Bulls power forward Lauri Markkanen (back) will play against the Utah Jazz on Wednesaday. Markkanen missed Tuesday's victory over the Boston Celtics, but luckily it's going to be just a one-game absence. Nikola Mirotic should move back to the second unit where he'll fight for minutes with Bobby Portis . Markkanen is back and safe to use in season-long leagues on Wednesday. He's not a great option in daily leagues against Utah, but should play his normal minutes.

Nicolas Batum

SG | CHA

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Nicolas Batum (elbow) is probable to play against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. He was listed as doubtful on Tuesday, and said Sunday that his elbow wasn't close to 100 percent yet. He's apparently willing to fight through the pain, but we likely won't get official word on his status until close to tip-off. If Batum plays, Jeremy Lamb will head back to the bench on Wednesday. Dwayne Bacon would likely drop out of the rotation entirely.

Cam Newton

QB | CAR

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will need to bring his A-game against an Aaron Rodgers -led Packers team fighting for the playoffs in Week 15. The Packers defense has allowed the 14th most fantasy points to opposing passers, including nine touchdown passes over their last three games. With Rodgers back in the fold, however, Newton could find himself in a shootout. He has passed for 2,720 yards this season with 17 touchdowns but also has 12 interceptions and five games of completing less than 60% of his passes. Newton's fantasy saving grace has been his ability to rush the football, running for five scores and 585 yards while single-handedly carrying the offense at times. Newton is a back-half top-10 fantasy play at his position for Week 15.

Anthony Rendon

3B | WSH

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post reports that the Nationals are open to discussing a contract extension with third baseman Anthony Rendon . Rendon was healthy this year and the numbers proved it. Rendon hit .301 with 25 home runs and 100 RBI. He is due a raise from his $5.8 million that he made last year and has two years of arbitration left before hitting free agency.

Adam Thielen

WR | MIN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is a must-start this Sunday against an injury-dfepleted Bengals defense. The Bengals have allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points to receivers this season but have been getting burned regularly the past few weeks. Thielen is having a career season and got back on track last week with 105 yards and a touchdown. There are few receivers one-on-one better than Thielen right now in the NFL and needs to be in all lineups during the fantasy playoffs for Week 15.

Christian Yelich

CF | MIA

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Marlins are going to talk to outfielder Christian Yelich and gauge his feeling on staying with the club. Heyman mentions Yelich is frustrated after the club dealt his "three best friends/top players go." Yelich has four years left of team control and would likely bring back a much bigger haul than what the Marlins received for Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton . The Phillies, Diamondbacks, Braves and Dodgers are among the teams he mentions as potential suitors.

Stefon Diggs

WR | MIN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs has a sneaky favorable matchup against a banged up Bengals defense in Week 15. Cincinnati has allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points to receivers but have allowed two 100-yard games recently to shifty receivers the Steelers Antonio Brown and the Bears Kendall Wright . Diggs certainly enjoys the same skill set and could burn a Bengals defender or two this Sunday. Diggs is coming off a six-catch, 64-yard performance and for the season has 694 receiving yards for five touchdowns. Diggs has WR3 value with upside to make a big-time play this week against the Bengals.

Kyle Rudolph

TE | MIN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph has been a touchdown machine over the past month, scoring four times over his last three games. He now has seven on the season and has 53 receptions for 506 yards. This week the Vikings will face a banged up Bengals defense that has allowed the ninth fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends but were burned for 44 yards and a touchdown by the Bears Adam Shaheen last week. Rudolph is again in line to dominate the targets in the red zone for the Vikings in Week 15 and is a lower-tier TE1 for this Sunday.

Jerick McKinnon

RB | MIN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon will go up against a Bengals defense that has allowed the seventh most fantasy points to running backs this season. McKinnon is the clear back-up to Latavius Murray but has value in the passing game. He has amassed 758 total yards from scrimmage this season with 43 receptions and five total touchdowns. McKinnon has upside but lacks the certainty of volume touches, making him a risky play in the fantasy playoffs for Week 15.

Daniel Murphy

2B | WSH

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (knee) is expected to be ready for Opening Day according to GM Mike Rizzo. Murphy underwent a debridement and microfracture surgery on his right knee shortly after the Nationals were eliminated from the NLDS by the Cubs and he will likely take it easy for much of spring training, but it sounds like the star second baseman could be in Washington's starting lineup on March 29 in Cincinnati. The 32-year-old batted .322/.384/.543 with 23 home runs and 93 RBI in 144 games this past season.

Todd Frazier

3B | NYY

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent infielder Todd Frazier is getting more interest, with as many as 10 teams reaching out to his camp, including the Angels, Giants and Mets, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports). Frazier is not a top priority for the Yankees at present, though they could circle back around to him depending on how the rest of their moves play out. He was linked to the Red Sox earlier today as well. The 31-year-old Frazier (32 in February), split the 2017 season between the White Sox and Yankees, hitting a combined .213/.344/.428 with 27 homers in 576 plate appearances.

Andre Roberson

SG | OKC

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Andre Roberson (ankle) has been ruled out of Wednesday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Head coach Billy Donovan hasn't announced who will start yet, but Alex Abrines has been starting over the last three games. Abrines started for Paul George who is returning on Wednesday. Regardless of who starts, Carmelo Anthony , Paul George and Russell Westbrook are all active which means whoever starts won't get too much attention.

Case Keenum

QB | MIN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum has been enjoying a renaissance season, throwing for 2,983 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Over his last six games, Keenum has thrown for more than 280 yards five times to go along with 13 touchdowns during that span. This week he will go up against a Bengals defense whose season numbers against quarterbacks are a bit deceiving. They have allowed the 12th fewest fantasy points to the position but injuries up and down their roster have really depleted their talent-level. Added to the fact that last week the Bengals defense looked lifeless against the Bears and fantasy owners of Keenum should be licking their chops. The Bengals have allowed 250 passing yards or more to their last five quarterbacks faced and Keenum should enjoy QB1 status in fantasy for Week 15.

Latavius Murray

RB | MIN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray will have a favorable matchup in Week 15 after posting only 14 rushing yards the previous week. Murray has 586 rushing yards this season with five touchdowns and will go up against a Bengals defense that has allowed the seventh most fantasy points to running backs. They have allowed 98 or more total yards to at least one running back in each of their last four games and gave up over 200 total rushing yards to the Bears last week. Murray rises back up to RB2 status for Week 15.

Jay Bruce

RF | CLE

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent outfielder Jay Bruce is getting more interest, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Giants are "staying in contact" with him. Rosenthal says signing Bruce and trading for Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton was the "initial fallback plan" for San Francisco once Giancarlo Stanton rejected a trade there, though the Giants have been unable to matchup with Cincinnati so far on a Hamilton deal. Bruce is also known to be drawing free agent interest from the Rockies, Blue Jays, Mariners, and Mets. He batted .254/.324/.508 with 36 homers and 101 RBI in 146 games this past season between New York and Cleveland.

Will Barton

SG | DEN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Denver Nuggets guard/forward Will Barton (back) is probable to play against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. He exited Tuesday's blowout win over the Pistons with a few minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. His back was bothering him, but it was likely just a precautionary move by Denver. Owners can probably expect Barton to be available on Wednesday, but there should be an update closer to tip-off. If Barton can't play, second-year wing Malik Beasley will see more action on Wednesday.

Dontrelle Inman

WR | CHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Chicago Bears wide receiver Dontrelle Inman will look to get back on track after catching only two passes for 21 yards against the Bengals last week. The Bears offense had their way with Cincinnati last week but Inman was not able to get in on the fun. Before that game, Inman had posted receiving yard totals of 88, 43 and 64 in his first three games as a Chicago Bear with one touchdown. In Week 15 he will go up against a Lions secondary that has allowed only 14th fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Inman will not light up the scoreboard but provides a veteran option for rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky to throw to. Inman is a WR5/6, at best, against the Lions this week.

Nikola Jokic

C | DEN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Denver Nuggets forward/center Nikola Jokic (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable to play against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. Head coach Mike Malone indicated on Tuesday that Jokic is "getting closer" and was moving well at shootaround. There likely won't be an official word on his status until after his pregame routine on Wednesday. If Jokic does play, Mason Plumlee will head back to the bench. Kenneth Faried 's minutes will take a hit as well.

Kendall Wright

WR | CHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Chicago Bears wide receiver Kendall Wright will be looking to finish up the season strong when the Bears take on a Lions defense that has allowed the 14th fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Wright caught a seaosn-high 10 passes last week for 107 yards and the slot receiver was repeatedly open and making plays. It has been a strange season for Wright, who has disappeared at times, but still leads the woeful Bears passing attack with 43 receptions and 477 yards. Wright's previous high is 69 yards this season and could easily come crashing back to earth this week against the Lions. For a receiver who has three or less receptions in seven games this season, Wright is not a strong candidate to be elevated to fantasy starter status in Week 15. Wright should be considered a WR5 dart throw at best.

Arron Afflalo

SG | ORL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Orlando Magic guard/forward Arron Affalo (back) is being listed as a game-time decision on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Magic are saying that Affalo has a 50-50 shot at playing against the Clippers. He's not much of an option unless in deeper leagues, but the Magic are thin on the wings. No Afflao means more minutes for guys like D.J. Augustin , Shelvin Mack , Jonathon Simmons and Mario Hezonja . Simmons has the most upside out of all these players. There should be another update on Affalo's status closer to tip-off.

Adam Shaheen

TE | CHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Chicago Bears tight end Adam Shaheen is slowly working his way into more playing time in the home stretch of the season. He may be raw but he is a matchup nightmare as evidenced by his athletic catch in the end zone for a touchdown last week against the Bengals. He will now get a matchup against a Lions defense that has allowed the ninth most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Shaheen had a breakout game of sorts in Week 11 against Detroit, catching four passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. That type of production could happen again in Week 15 and he certainly deserves more looks in the red zone. Shaheen is an upside-driven, touchdown-dependent tight end option in fantasy this week.

Aaron Gordon

PF | ORL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (concussion) has been ruled out of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. He's in the final stages of his concussion protocol testing, and was able to take contact during Wednesday's shootaround. There is a chance that Gordon returns for Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Mario Hezonja is in line for another start on Wednesday with Gordon inactive. Nicola Vucevic will see a high usage rate as well.

Tarik Cohen

RB | CHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Chicago Bears running Tarik Cohen this season has posted 658 yards from scrimmage this season with five total touchdowns. He has literally done it all: scoring touchdowns running, passing, catching and returning punts. He is a threat to score at any moment but fantasy owners must temper weekly expectations for a player that has posted less than 40 yards from scrimmage in four games this season. The Bears coaching staff appears to be making efforts to keep him involved and Cohen has a fantastic matchup against a Lions defense that has allowed the fifth most fantasy points to running backs this season. Cohen is a roll of a dice, with a possible huge payoff, in fantasy for Week 15.

Jordan Howard

RB | CHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight season in the Bears win last week over the Bengals. Howard is back on the RB1 radar against a Lions defense this week that has allowed the fifth most fantasy points to opposing runners. Howard posted 125 yards and one touchdown in Week 11 against the Lions and in three career games Howard has run for 322 yards against Detroit. The Lions are fighting for their playoff lives and the Bears are looking to make incremental progress with their young offensive core. Howard is a must-start in the fantasy playoffs in Week 15.

Mitch Trubisky

QB | CHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky will look to build off his two-touchdown, 271-yard performance against the Bengals when the Bears travel to Detroit for Week 15. He will go up against a Lions defense that has allowed at least 269 yards and multiple touchdowns to the last three quarterback's they have faced. The rookie quarterback has thrown for over 200 yards only twice thus far in his first season but has an excellent shot at eclipsing that against a Lions team that has allowed 200 passing yards to 11 different quarterbacks this season. Trubisky threw for 179 yards and one touchdown in a Week 11 loss to the Lions and is still very raw in terms of experience. Trubisky's fantasy value is on the rise but does not deserve starting consideration in fantasy for Week 15.

Stephen Piscotty

RF | STL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Stephen Piscotty may be the odd man out after the team acquired Marcell Ozuna , as, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A's are edging closer to acquiring outfielder Piscotty from the Cardinals. Slusser hears that a trade between the Cardinals and Athletics could be completed before the end of the Winter Meetings on Thursday, with A's infield prospect Yairo Munoz possibly changing organizations. Piscotty posted an .815 OPS with 29 home runs and 124 RBI over his first 216 major league games between 2015-2016 before struggling mightily in 2017. Injuries and family issues played a part. He signed a six-year, $33.5 million contract extension with the Cardinals in April.

Eduardo Nunez

SS | BOS

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent infielder Eduardo Nunez thrived in 2017 and is drawing free agent interest from the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and "possibly Yankees," per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Nunez excelled in a utility role with the Giants and Red Sox in 2017, slashing .313/.341/.460 with 12 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 114 games. He battled a knee injury down the stretch, but the versatile 30-year-old is expected to be 100 percent by the start of spring training in February.

Joe Mixon

RB | CIN

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Bengals running back Joe Mixon (head) is still in concussion protocol. He was seen out on the field on Wednesday during practice, but was not actively practicing. Mixon's status for Sunday's game is questionable as of now. If he cannot go, look for Giovani Bernard to step in again. He is a nice RB2 in all fantasy formats if Mixon does not play.

Steve Cishek

P | TB

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent reliever Steve Cishek is gaining interest, as Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports that the Twins are in the mix for him. There is also known to be some level of interest from the Mets. Cishek, a 31-year-old sidearmer with experience as a closer, put up an outstanding 2.01 ERA, 0.896 WHIP, and 41/14 K/BB ratio in 44 2/3 innings between the Mariners and Rays in 2017.

Greg Holland

P | COL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Disputing earlier news, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand hears there is nothing imminent between the Rockies and Greg Holland . Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported earlier that Colorado was closing in on an agreement to bring Holland back for the 2018 season and beyond, but a source tells Feinsand that the two sides are "just talking" at the moment. Thomas Harding, the Rockies beat writer for MLB.com, is hearing the same thing as Feinsand. A new deal could happen at some point between Holland and the Rockies, but it sounds like the 32-year-old free agent right-hander is still shopping around for now.

Terrance Williams

WR | DAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams is a desperation-only play in Week 15. He does have a good matchup, facing off against an Oakland Raiders defense that allows the third most points to opposing wide receivers, but he's still a seldom-used piece of the offense. Any fantasy owners really looking to put together a starting lineup in Week 15 almost certainly have better options than Terrance Williams .

Jason Witten

TE | DAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is an acceptable floor play for Week 15. Witten has caught just one pass in four of the past six games, but he's always an end zone target for quarterback Dak Prescott . This week, they take on an Oakland Raiders defense that ranks 30th in receptions allowed to opposing tight ends. Witten is a moderately safe play with almost no upside. Most fantasy owners are likely to have better options despite the wasteland that is tight end in 2017.

Cole Beasley

WR | DAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley remains off the fantasy radar despite a good matchup against the Oakland Raiders in Week 15. Beasley simply doesn't accumulate the catches and yardage necessary to be worth starting in any format. Truth is, he isn't even touchdown-dependent, because he can score a touchdown and still end up with single digit fantasy points for the game. Beasley belongs on the bench in deep leagues, but on the waiver wire in most.

Rod Smith

RB | DAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Dallas Cowboys running back Rod Smith remains a risky fantasy option for Week 15 against the Oakland Raiders. Smith has some nice upside, and he showed it last week with a huge game, but he also has a very low floor. He's been relying on the fourth quarter to make all of his noise (72 percent of his fantasy points since Ezekiel Elliott has been suspended have come in the final frame). That's certainly unsustainable and could leave fantasy owners out to dry if the game script doesn't call for Smith's heavy involvement. He's more of a DFS play than a fantasy semi-finals play this week.

Chase Headley

3B | SD

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley may not be in San Diego for long, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today notes that the Padres are already drawing interest for Headley. San Diego just acquired Headley from the Yankees on Tuesday, but the veteran third baseman could be flipped for some younger and cheaper talent. Headley, who turns 34 years old next May, batted .273/.352/.406 with 12 home runs and 61 RBI over 147 games this past season with New York. He is owed $13 million in 2018, the final year of his current deal.

Dez Bryant

WR | DAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has a good matchup in Week 15. He'll face off against an Oakland Raiders defense that allows the third most points per target to opposing wide receivers. While Bryant still hasn't shown the upside long-time fantasy players are used to, he has been producing solid weeks, scoring double-digit fantasy points in four of his past six games. Bryant is no longer the alpha WR1 who can single-handedly win your fantasy matchup, but he's still a solid piece that is startable most weeks.

T.J. Warren

SF | PHO

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Phoenix Suns small forward T.J. Warren put up a decent line against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night. He had 18 points on just 9-for-24 shooting. He also had five rebounds, two assists, and one steal to add to his stats total. It was not the most efficient night for Warren as his outside shot was off most of the night, finishing 0-for-4 from behind the arc. However, his usage has been encouraging as he's been taking a whopping 20 field goal attempts per game since guard Devin Booker (Adductor) became injured. Continue to expect more of the same from Warren moving forward as he is one of the few Suns who can create any offense while Booker is on the sidelines.

Carlos Gomez

CF | TEX

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent Carlos Gomez is trying to cash in on a stronger 2017 season and Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Blue Jays are showing interest in him. Gomez signed a one-year, $11.5 million contract with the Rangers last offseason and went on to bat .255/.340/.462 with 17 home runs and 13 stolen bases in 105 games. The 32-year-old should be able to find a multi-year deal this time around, but the Jays are also looking at Carlos Gonzalez .

Alfred Morris

RB | DAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Dallas Cowboys running back Alfred Morris is a decent option for Week 15 against the Oakland Raiders. The main issue with Morris is that he relies on a specific game script to get his work in. Still, he's received 49 touches the last two weeks and has been running well. In what will be his last game before taking a backseat to the returning Ezekiel Elliott (suspension), Morris gets to face a Raiders defense that ranks 21st in rushing yards allowed per game. Morris doesn't have week-winning upside, but he's a solid option that won't leave teams out to dry.

Carlos Gonzalez

RF | COL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is drawing interest from the Blue Jays, Astros, Athletics, Orioles, and Phillies, per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported Tuesday that the Giants, Royals, and Rays have also checked in. Gonzalez is probably so popular because many teams view him as a good buy-low option, but this much interest could obviously work to drive up his price. The 32-year-old outfielder batted just .262/.339/.423 with 14 home runs and 57 RBI over 136 games in 2017. He carried a .295/.353/.534 batting line between 2009-2016.

Dak Prescott

QB | DAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is once again in the starting ranks for quarterbacks when looking at Week 15. Prescott had been struggling mightily since running back Ezekiel Elliott began serving his suspension, but he put it all back together last week, setting career highs in passing yards and in yards per attempt. He also has multiple touchdown passes in back-to-back games and gets to face off against an Oakland Raiders defense that ranks 27th in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. It's setting up to be a second straight good week for Prescott, just in time for the fantasy semi-finals.

Trevor Rosenthal

P | STL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent pitcher Trevor Rosenthal may not pitch at all during the 2018 season according to Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Torrey Smith

WR | PHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith remains far from fantasy relevance for Week 15 against the New York Giants. Despite a great matchup against the helpless Giants defense, Smith won't be good for any lineups this weekend. Already fantasy irrelevant with Carson Wentz in charge, Smith will only slip even further down the rankings with Nick Foles taking over. Smith should remain on benches or waiver wires this week, but if you're in the fantasy playoffs, you already knew that.

Nelson Agholor

WR | PHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor is still an okay fantasy option after the loss of Carson Wentz (ACL) for the season. Nick Foles will be taking over under center, and although it's a small sample size, Foles has targeted Agholor on five of his 14 pass attempts this year. It could give Agholor a nice volume-based role in the games Foles starts. By no means is it an upgrade to Agholor's outlook as the entire Eagles offense will be downgraded based on Wentz's absence. That being said, fantasy owners who were starting Agholor can likely keep trotting him out there just the same.

LeGarrette Blount

RB | PHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Philadelphia Eagles running back LeGarrette Blount may not be worth starting for a Week 15 matchup against the New York Giants. Even though the matchup is mouth-watering on paper, Blount seemed to fall behind Jay Ajayi last week, and that trend may continue this week as well. With Ajayi playing extremely well (6.4 yards per carry since coming over from the Miami Dolphins) and his usage consistently trending up, Week 15 may finally be the week where Blount serves in more of a complementary role. He's not without upside because of the great matchup, but Blount is a very risky play with a very low floor this week.

Corey Clement

RB | PHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Philadelphia Eagles rookie running back Corey Clement isn't worth a start in most formats for Week 15. Despite a great matchup against a New York Giants defense who can be exploited by the ground game, Clement is unlikely to receive enough touches to put up a decent fantasy day. He's settled into a role as the hurry-up offense running back, so while he does have a role each week, it's a limited one that allows him little upside.

Anthony Swarzak

P | MIL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent pitcher Anthony Swarzak signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the New York Mets according to Marc Carig of Newsday. Swarzak is coming off of a huge 2017 season, where he had a 2.33 ERA and 1.03 WHIP to go along with 10.6 strikeouts per nine between the White Sox and Brewers, but does have a 4.22 career ERA. It is a wise move to bet on a reliever if you are the Mets, as they could flip him for top prospects at the trade deadline if the team is out of contention. Look for Swarzak to get save opportunities in New York, as new manager Mickey Callaway will go to a closer-by-committee system.

Jay Ajayi

RB | PHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Philadelphia Eagles running back Jay Ajayi is a high-upside play for Week 15 against the New York Giants. There remains the threat that the Eagles will keep their three-man running back committee going, splitting work between Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount , and Corey Clement , but Ajayi seemed to be taking charge last week and may continue to do so now. He's averaging 6.4 yards per carry since joining the Eagles, and he's been used more and more each week. If this is the week he finally gets to work as the lead back, he could have an enormous game as the Giants have been massacred by opposing running games this season. Ajayi has RB1 upside this week.

Mark Melancon

P | SF

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Alex Pavlovic Of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that Closer Mark Melancon (forearm) is expected to be ready by opening day. Melancon who struggled in his first year with the Giants had a minor surgery on his arm but if fully expected to remain the team's closer while Sam Dyson will shift to a setup role.

Nick Foles

QB | PHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles is a decent fantasy option for Week 15 in his first start of the season. Taking the reins from Carson Wentz (ACL) for the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs, Foles is certainly a downgrade, but surely won't be hopeless under center. With a strong receiving corps including the return of tight end Zach Ertz , Foles should be fine as a high-end QB2 most weeks. This week, however, he faces off against a Giants defense that ranks third in most passing yardage allowed per game and will be without top defensive players Janoris Jenkins and Landon Collins. Foles could end up doing a great Wentz impression and landing in the QB1 ranks for Week 15.

Mark Reynolds

3B | COL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent first baseman Mark Reynolds is meeting with Colorado Rockies today. Earlier today, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reported that the Royals were interested in Reynolds, but said the Rockies remain a "strong contender" to re-sign Reynolds. There are also some other teams involved beyond the Rockies and Royals. Reynolds tallied 30 home runs and 97 RBI in 148 games this past season with Colorado, though he had a .977 OPS at Coors Field and a .703 OPS everywhere else. The veteran first baseman turns 35 years old late next summer.

Alex Avila

C | CHC

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

The Nationals have interest in catcher/first baseman Alex Avila according to Chelsea James of the Washington Post. Avila is coming off a strong season for both the Tigers and Cubs where he hit .264 with14 home runs and an .834 OPS. He let it known earlier in free agency that he prefers to play for a contender. He'd be a nice addition to the Nats who currently have Matt Wieters behind the dish.

Bryce Harper

RF | WSH

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports that the Scott Boras, the agent for outfielder Bryce Harper has met with the Nationals for preliminary talks about a contract extension. Boras has a good history with Nationals owner Ted Lerner in terms of getting deals down and Harper is expected to score a deal north of Giancarlo Stanton 's 13-year $325 million. Boras has a history of letting his clients test free agency and that may be the likely outcome. However it's good news for Nationals fans that Boras and Harper are open to discussing an extension before he reaches free agency next year.

Brad Brach

P | BAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brad Brach has been very popular on the trade market according to FanRag Sports Jon Heyman. The Orioles are fielding offers on Zach Britton , so it is logical that they would also be looking to move his relief man Brach as well. The 31-year-old is not a free agent until 2019 and saved 18 games for the Orioles in 2017 when Britton was hurt. While his ERA jumped a bit to 3.18 in 2017, he had a 2.39 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 2015-2016, striking out 10.3 batters per nine.

Francisco Liriano

P | HOU

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Free agent pitcher Francisco Liriano was not great for the Astros last season, but, according to Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle, the Astros have discussed re-signing Liriano. He may have not been great, but the team had to give up a good prospect in Teoscar Hernandez to land him from the Blue Jays, so they will work to make him fine. Houston is on the hunt for left-handed relief help and the 34-year-old southpaw should come fairly cheap. He has held left-handed batters to a .222/.297/.306 batting line over the course of his 12-year major league career

Zach Ertz

TE | PHI

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol. The official Eagles Twitter account erroneously reported that he'd cleared it last week, but Ertz was still dealing with "dull headaches" that ultimately kept him out of the Week 14 contest. He'll be back for Week 15 though, but the absence of Carson Wentz (ACL) causes every Eagles pass catcher to lose a bit of value. Still, Ertz will be a TE1 this week.

Brandon Ingram

SF | LAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram had a night to forget on Tuesday. Ingram scored only five points on an atrocious 2-for-12 from the field. He also had ball control issues, turning it over five times in the loss to the New York Knicks. Luckily for fantasy owners, he managed to offset some of the damage by pulling down seven boards and finding his teammates with five assists. Nonetheless, Ingram has been having a much improved season from that of his inaugural campaign from a year ago and as a result, we can chalk up this outing to being just a rough night at the office.

Zach Britton

P | BAL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Britton says his knee is feeling great and that he is also taking trade talk 'in stride'. When questioned on trading Manny Machado , Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said there should be a lot of interest in Britton, if the Orioles make him available as well. Last season, Britton was sidelined for a chunk of the season, first by a left forearm strain that sent him to the disabled list twice and then by a balky left knee that ended his season in September. Britton had a stem-cell injection in the knee in late September, and says he has no lingering effects of the nagging soreness that bothered him for much of the second half. He would be a top-10 RP if healthy, no matter what team he is playing for.

Jake McGee

P | COL

RotoBaller News and Updates

12/13/17 8:20pm

Updating an earlier report, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Jake McGee has agreed to terms with the Rockies. McGee will join Bryan Shaw at the back-end of the bullpen. If Greg Holland doesn't return, McGee could see save opportunities.

Brandon Knight has crushed it in all three meetings versus the Lakers this season and should once again considering they’re the worst defense against opposing point guards. Here are my picks for Wednesday, March 23:

Guards (G)

Forwards/Centers (F/C)

Utility (UTIL)

Stephen Curry, $18,800

LeBron James, $16,700

James Harden, $18,000

Chris Paul, $17,400

Karl-Anthony Towns, $15,500

DeAndre Jordan, $13,800

John Wall, $17,100

Carmelo Anthony, $14,800

LaMarcus Aldridge, $13,200

Victor Oladipo, $13,800

Andre Drummond, $13,500

Dirk Nowitzki, $12,600

DeMar DeRozan, $13,600

Derrick Favors, $12,900

C.J. McCollum, $11,700

Brandon Knight, $12,900

Gorgui Dieng, $11,100

Andrew Wiggins, $11,300

Klay Thompson, $12,000

Otto Porter, $9,600

Rudy Gay, $11,100

Jordan Clarkson (if no Russell), $9,700

Mason Plumlee, $8,600

Zach LaVine, $11,100

Patrick Beverley, $8,100

Stanley Johnson, $7,400

Kosta Koufos, $6,000

Guards (G)

Forwards/Centers (F/C)

Utility (UTIL)

Stephen Curry, $18,800

LeBron James, $16,700

Damian Lillard, $16,300

Chris Paul, $17,400

Karl-Anthony Towns, $15,500

Kawhi Leonard, $14,200

John Wall, $17,100

Andre Drummond, $13,500

DeAndre Jordan, $13,800

Victor Oladipo, $13,800

Derrick Favors, $12,900

Jimmy Butler, $13,300

Brandon Knight, $12,900

Dwight Howard, $12,000

Dirk Nowitzki, $12,600

Klay Thompson, $12,000

Andrew Wiggins, $11,300

C.J. McCollum, $11,700

Devin Booker, $11,700

Rudy Gay, $11,100

Shelvin Mack, $11,300

D.J. Augustin, $9,000

Mason Plumlee, $8,600

Darren Collison, $9,700

Wes Matthews, $8,000

Stanley Johnson, $7,400

Tim Duncan, $8,300

Ricky Sanders

Ricky Sanders is a fantasy sports expert with over 15 years of playing experience. After starting several freelance fantasy sports blogs, Ricky moved up in the fantasy industry when he joined Going9 Baseball. He wrote fantasy baseball content and had a weekly radio spot on the site’s SiriusXM Satellite Radio show. Shortly thereafter, in early 2013, Ricky joined RotoExperts as a three-sport fantasy contributor, eventually becoming one of the site’s lead basketball writers. While writing for RotoExperts, Ricky was introduced to daily fantasy sports and immediately fell in love.
With help from some of his mentors, some of the best DFS players in the world, he honed his skills and became the daily fantasy expert he is today. When RotoExperts created a daily-focused website called DailyRoto.com, Ricky was brought on as one of the main contributors. He still makes frequent appearances on the RotoExperts SiriusXM Radio show and on the FNTSY Sports Television Network, talking daily fantasy sports. He also continues to write for a few DFS content sites: RotoCurve and The Fantasy Fix. Ricky is a proud and active member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. He has agreed to be a writer and representative for the FantasyDraft brand and serves as an ambassador to the site. He has no more access to the site than the typical user. Don’t hesitate to contact Ricky with questions on Twitter @RSandersDFS.